Right Triangle Area Formula: Complete the Missing Multiplication Terms

Triangle Area Formula with Leg Identification

Complete the sentence:

To find the area of a right triangle, one must multiply ________________ by each other and divide by 2.

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Step-by-step written solution

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1

Understand the problem

Complete the sentence:

To find the area of a right triangle, one must multiply ________________ by each other and divide by 2.

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, begin by identifying the elements involved in calculating the area of a right triangle. In a right triangle, the two sides that form the right angle are known as the legs. These legs act as the base and height of the triangle.

The formula for the area of a triangle is given by:

A=12×base×height A = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height}

In the case of a right triangle, the base and height are the two legs. Therefore, the process of finding the area involves multiplying the lengths of the two legs together and then dividing the product by 2.

Based on this analysis, the correct way to complete the sentence in the problem is:

To find the area of a right triangle, one must multiply the two legs by each other and divide by 2.

3

Final Answer

the two legs

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Formula: Area = ½ × base × height using perpendicular legs
  • Technique: Identify the two legs forming the 90° angle as base and height
  • Check: Legs must be perpendicular sides, not the hypotenuse ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Using the hypotenuse instead of the legs
    Don't multiply the hypotenuse by a leg = wrong area calculation! The hypotenuse is the longest side opposite the right angle, not perpendicular to anything. Always multiply the two legs that form the 90° angle.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Angle A is equal to 30°.
Angle B is equal to 60°.
Angle C is equal to 90°.

Can these angles form a triangle?

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

What exactly are the 'legs' of a right triangle?

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The legs are the two shorter sides that meet at the right angle (90°). They're perpendicular to each other, which makes them perfect as base and height for the area formula.

Why can't I use the hypotenuse in the area formula?

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The hypotenuse is the longest side opposite the right angle. It's not perpendicular to either leg, so it can't serve as a base or height. Only perpendicular sides work for the area formula!

Do I always divide by 2 when finding triangle area?

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Yes, always! The area formula A = ½ × base × height applies to all triangles, not just right triangles. The ½ accounts for the triangle being half of a rectangle.

What if the legs have the same length?

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That's an isosceles right triangle! You still multiply the two equal legs together and divide by 2. For example: if both legs are 5 units, area = ½ × 5 × 5 = 12.5 square units.

How do I identify which sides are the legs?

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Look for the right angle symbol (small square) in the corner. The two sides that form this 90° angle are your legs. The side opposite the right angle is the hypotenuse.

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